This is my detailed and updated 2022 guide about the different dog clipper blade sizes and guard comb attachments.
If you want to do the grooming session for your pup yourself, you have obviously encountered the problem of choosing the right dog clipper blade size.
Most professional clippers usually come with a single blade, which in my experience, is far from enough.
I’ll list what to look for when choosing the right size in my article. You will also find various dog clipper blade size charts in which I list blade size recommendations for different breeds.
You can also read more about guide comb attachments at the end of this article.
Let’s get started!
Things to consider before purchasing a dog clipper blade
A properly selected grooming clipper usually comes with a good quality blade. But you will likely need more than one blade. There are various aspects to consider when choosing. These are the following:
Your dog’s body parts
You will need different sized blades for your dog’s body, face, ears, paws, abdomen, etc. Grooming styles can vary from breed to breed. You will need a different blade and clipper for a Shih-Tzu, but a Cocker Spaniel will also need another dog clipper.
It’s also possible that you want your dog to have the same length of fur everywhere, but the blade in the package isn’t right.
Blades in the package
In my experience, most good-quality dog clipper kits include a single size 10 blade. If you want to do grooming really professionally, you may want to buy additional blades.
Your dog’s fur type
There are several types of dog coats, and each requires different grooming. It would help if you considered this, as you will need to buy different grooming tools and blades for straight, curly, or fine coats. Groomers need to purchase a heavy-duty clipper for dogs with thick fur.
Attachment combs
The role of attachment combs is to prevent injury on the one hand and prevent cutting too short on the other. These combs can be made of plastic or steel. By definition, steel versions are much more durable than plastic.
Universal or non-universal blades
The most common and popular clippers are, in most cases, compatible with the universal blades of most brands. If the blade packaging shows that it is only for a few models, you are not dealing with a universal product.
What are the different types of blades?
It isn’t easy to list the different variations from one point of view. Therefore, I grouped the dog clipper blade types according to teeth, material, and edging.
Skip-Tooth Blades, Fine-Tooth Blades, and Others
The difference between a skip-tooth and a fine-tooth lies in the gap between the teeth on the blade.
- Skip-tooth blades: In this version, the teeth are much rarer. This type is considered a standard option for most dog clippers and is very good for dogs with long hair and a matted, very thick coat. Most groomers start the whole process with such a blade to give an initial overall cut to dogs with thick fur.
- Fine-tooth blades: In the case of skip-tooth blades (also known as finishing/full cut blades), the gaps between the teeth are tiny. That’s why this version will be ideal for thin and soft-haired dogs. The result is a finer, soft, and smooth look. Fine-tooth blades are usually marked with an F (e.g., 4F, 5F, 7F)
- Wide/T-blades: These blades are much wider than those listed so far. This will allow them to shear larger dogs, but they may not fit your clipper.
Steel vs. Ceramic Blades
Most blades are made from one of the above two materials. These materials have different benefits, and before choosing, you need to consider your dog’s breed, cutting style, duration of the grooming procedure, and frequency.
- Steel blades: Dog clipper blades are most commonly made of stainless steel with titanium, carbon, or silver reinforcement. They also tend to get a chrome finish, making this version even more resistant to rust. Titanium and carbon steel blades are robust and resistant. Manufacturers commonly use silver material because of its antimicrobial properties. The steel versions are not only efficient but inexpensive and lightweight.
- Ceramic blades: Ceramic blades have two major advantages over steel blades. On the one hand, they stay sharp longer, so they need to be replaced much less frequently. On the other hand, the friction does not cause excessive heating due to the unique material. This will prevent a hot blade from causing clipper burn to your dog. The benefits, of course, come at a price. Ceramic clipper blades usually cost more.
Clipper Blade Edgings
In some cases, manufacturers add so-called edgings to the blades to make them stand out in various situations. Below you can see the different types of edging:
- UltraEdge Blades: These blades are from Andis. So those who have Andis dog clippers are worth considering. UltraEdge blades are reinforced with carbon at the cutting parts. Moreover, they are even exposed to a so-called hardening process that makes them more efficient and resilient. For the most challenging grooming tasks (where your dog has an impenetrable thick and matted coat), you may want to get such blades.
- CeramicEdge blades: We have already talked about the favorable properties of ceramics. These blades become harder to heat up and wear out more slowly.
- ShowEdge Blades: These blades ensure the most precise cut possible. Then, it is no coincidence that they are favorably used in dog shows and other competitions. These carbon-infused blades have been given a chrome finish, thanks to which you can cut your dog’s hair to perfection.
Edging processes
It’s also essential to write about the different processes, as some brands use various methods for edging.
- EGT and EGT+: This acronym stands for electro-glide technology used by Andis. This technology results in solid and durable blades. The “+” version results in different teeth, allowing users a much smoother cut and longer product life.
- CryogenX: Oster developed this ingenious procedure. During manufacture, the blades are heated to a temperature that allows the carbon to be evenly distributed. Freezing is then applied to keep the carbon in place. Oster Elite products use even better quality high-carbon, resulting in even stronger, sharper, and more durable blades.
Dog clipper blade numbers and cut lengths
You can choose from several sizes when buying a clipper blade. These sizes are marked with numbers from 3 to 50. The higher the number, the smaller the cutting length.
Blades of 9 or larger sizes are only available with a skip-tooth design. Blades less than 9 sizes are also can come with fine-tooth.
Use the table below to find out what cut lengths result from different blade sizes.
| Dog Clipper Blade Size Number | Cut Size or Description |
| Blade #3, #3F | For 1/2″ (13mm) coat length |
| Blade #4, # 4F | For 3/8″ (9.5mm) coat length |
| Blade #5, #5F | For 1/4″ (6mm) coat length |
| Toe Blade #5/8 | For trimming between toes and feet |
| Blade #7, #7F | For 1/8″ (3.2mm) coat length |
| Toe Blade #7/8 | For trimming between toes and feet |
| Blade #8 1/2 | For 7/64″ (2.8mm) coat length |
| Blade #9 | For 5/64″ (2mm) coat length |
| Blade #10 | For 1/16″ (1.6mm) coat length |
| Blade #15 | For 1.2mm coat length |
| Blade #30 | For 0.5mm coat length |
| Blade #40, #50 | Only for surgical cuts |
General recommended blade numbers for summer: #7 for the body and #10 for the anal area and hind legs.
General recommended blade numbers for winter: #4 or #5 for the body and #10 for the anal area and hind legs.
Wahl Dog Clipper Blade Sizes
Wahl is one of the most popular brands when it comes to cordless pet clippers. But this brand also produces awesome corded versions. Its blades are very high quality and available in many sizes.
In addition to the standard sizes, the company offers a 5 in 1 blade that can be adjusted. This allows you to solve the entire grooming procedure with a single product.
With the 5 in 1 blade option, you can replace 9, 10, 15, 30, and 40 blades.
Andis Dog Clipper Blade Sizes
My other favorite brand is Andis, which also has impeccable blades. The selection of the company is extensive. You can see the sizes in the company’s product lines below.
- UltraEdge line: 40, 30, 15, 10, 9, 8 ½, 7, 7F, 6F, 5, 5F, 4 ½ F, 4, 4F, 3 ¾, 3 ¾F, 5/8, 5/8 Wide, 3/4, T-10
- CeramicEdge line: 40, 30, 15, 10, 9, 8 ½, 7, 7F, 5, 5F, 4, 4F, 3 ¾F, 5/8, ¾
- EGT/EGT+ lines: 40, 30, 15, 10, 7F, 5F
Dog Clipper blade size chart
The table below provides recommendations for the most common dog breeds. Based on these, you can easily select different numbered blades for each body part of your pup. As you will see, you will usually need 2-4 blades.
Of course, you will also find a more detailed breed list later if this table may not be enough for you.
| Popular Dog Breeds | Body | Head and ears | Legs | Tail |
| Terriers | #5, #7 | #10, shears | #10, #30, shears | #4, #5, #7, shears |
| Retrievers | #5, #7 | Shears | #5, #7 | Shears |
| Spaniels | #4, #5, #7 | #10, #15 | #7 | N/A |
| Setters | #4, #5, #7 | #7, #10 | Shears | Shears |
| Poodles | #7 | #10, #15 | #3, #4, #5 | #10, #15 |
Detailed dog clipper blade recommendations by breeds
If you did not find your dog in the table above, the list below might help.
Afghan Hound
- Matted Coat – #7F
- On Saddle Only – #7F
Airedale Terrier
- Body and Tail – #7F, #5F, #4F, #3F
- Head and Neck – #7F
- Legs, Chest, Beard, & Eyebrows – #30 with ¾” or 1″ Comb
- Ears, Cheeks, and Throat – #7F or #10
American Cocker Spaniel
- Body, Sides, and Back Only – #7F, #5F, #4F
- Sides of Neck – #7F
- Face, Ears, and Throat – #10
Bearded Collie
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Puppy Trim at 2″ – #30 with 1¼” Comb
Bedlington Terrier
- Body – #4 or #3
- Head, Ears, and Tail – #10 or #15
Bichon Frise
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Show Trim at 1″ – #30 & 1″ Comb
- Pet Trim – #4 or #3
- Head – #30 with ¾”, 1″ or 1¼” Comb
Border Collie
- Body – #7F
- For more length – #4 or #3
- Short trim – #3, #3F, #4, #4F
- Puppy trim – #30 with 1″ comb
- Natural coat – scissors
Bouvier Des Flandres
- Body – #3, #30 with ¾” or 1″ Comb
- Legs – Scissors, #30 with 1″ or 1¼” Comb
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Head – #4F
- Face – Scissors
- Ears – #10 or #15
Briard Terrier
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Puppy Trim at 2″ – #30 and 1¼” Comb
- Short Trim – #4F
- Face, Legs, and Undercarriage – Scissors
Cairn Terrier
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Natural Look 2″ – #30 & ¾” Comb
- Shorter pet trim on Back – #4
- Head, Face, Legs, and Underbody – Scissors
- Ears – #10
Chow Chow
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Natural Coat – Scissors
- Body – #7
- Puppy Trim – #30 with 1″ Comb
- Short Trim – #3, #3F, #4, #4F
Cocker Spaniel
- Body, Sides, and Back – #4F, #5F, #7F
- Neck – #9
- Face, Ears, and Throat – #10, #15
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Body, Sides, and Back Only – #5 or #4
- Head, Tail, Legs, and UnderBelly – Scissors
- Legs and Undercarriage – Scissors
- Ears – #10 or #15
English Cocker Spaniel
- Body, Sides, and Back Only – #7F, #5F, #4F
- Front of Forearms – #7F
- Head, Neck, and Ears – #15
English Setter
- Body, Sides, and Back Only – #7F, #5F, #4F
- Head, Neck, and Ears – #10
- Tail, Legs, Underbody – Scissors
English Springer Spaniel
- Body, Sides, and Back Only – #7F, #5F, #4F
- Head, Neck, and Ears – #10
Golden Retriever
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Body – #7F or #5F
- Legs, Tail, and Underbody – Scissors
Gordon Setter
- Body, Sides and Back Only – #7F, #5F, #4F
- Head, Neck, and Ears – #10
- Tail, Legs, and Underbody – scissors
Great Pyrenees
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Puppy Trim – #30 with 1″ Comb
- Long Body Trim – #4 or #3
Irish Setter
- Body, Sides, and Back – #7F, #5F, #4F
- Head, Neck, and Ears – #7 or #10
- Tail, Legs, and Underbody – Scissors
Irish Terrier
- Body, Sides, and Back – #7F, #5F, #5
- Head, Neck, and Ears – #10
- Tail, Legs, and Underbody – Scissors
Keeshond
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Natural Coat – Scissors
- Short Trim, Back, and Sides – #4
- Head, Neck, and Ears – #10 or #9
- Body, Sides, and Tail – #30 with 1″ Comb
Kerry Blue Terrier
- Body and Tail – #4F or #3F
- Face – #10
- Ears, Cheeks, and Throat – #10
- Legs – #30 with ¾” or 1″ Comb
Lakeland Terrier
- Body and Tail – #7F, #5F, #4F, #3F
- Head, Neck, and Ears – #10
- Legs, Chest, Beard, and Eyebrows – #30 with ¾” or 1″ Comb
Lhasa Apso
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Puppy Trim – #30 with 1″ Comb
- Short Trim – #3F or #4F
- Head, Face, Tail, and Underbody – Scissors
Maltese
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Puppy Trim – #30 with 1″ Comb
- Short Trim – #4
- Head – #4F, #3F, #30 with ¾” or 1″ Comb
- Face and Tail – Scissors
Newfoundland
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Natural Coat – Scissors
- Short Coat – #4 or #3
Old English Sheepdog
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Short Coat – #3, #3F, #4, #4F
- Puppy Trim – #30 with 1¼” Comb
- Head and Face – Scissors
Pekingese
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Short Coat – #4 or #4F
Poodles
Kennel Trim:
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Face, Feet, and Base of Tail – #10 or #15
- Body and Legs – #5, #4, #3
- Top Knot and Tailpiece – Scissors
Lamb Trim:
- Face, Feet, and Base of Tail – #10 or #15
- Body – #5, #4, #3
- Legs – #30 with ¾” or 1″ Comb
- Top Knot and Tailpiece – Scissors
Summer Trim or Bikini Trim:
- Face, Feet, and Base of Tail – #10, #15
- Body and Legs – #7F, #5F
- Pom-poms, Top Knot, and Tail Pom – Scissors
- Stomach – #10
You can also read my detailed guide about the best Poodle dog clippers.
Portuguese Water Dog
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Short Coat – #3, #3F, #4, #4F
- Body and Legs – #30 with 1″ Comb
- Head and Tail – Scissors
Samoyed
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Tail – Scissors
Schnauzer
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Throat, Ears, and Cheeks – #10
- Body and Tail – #7, #5, #4F
- Legs – #3 with ¾” Comb
Scottish Terrier
- Body, Back, and Sides – #5 or #4
- Head, Neck, Cheeks, Throat, and Ears – #10
- Tail – #4F
Sealyham
- Body, Back, and Sides Only – #5 or #4
- Head, Neck, and Ears – #10
- Tail – #5, #4
Shetland Sheepdog
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Long Trim – #4 or #3
- Natural Coat and Tail – Scissors
Shih Tzu
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Puppy Trim – #30 with 1″ Comb
- Short Trim – #4F or #3F
- Head, Tail, and Ears – Scissors
Silky Terrier
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Puppy Trim – #30 with ¾” Comb
- Short Trim – #4F
- Head, Underbody, and Tail – Scissors
- Ears – #10
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Body and Tail – #3, #30 with ¾” or 1″ Comb
- Head and Ears – Scissors
- Shorter Trim – #4F
- Legs – #30 with 1″ Comb
Welsh Terrier
- Body and Tail – #7F or #5F
- Head, Cheeks, Throat, and Ears – #10
- Legs, Chest, Beard, and Eyebrows – #30 with ¾” or 1″ Comb
West Highland White Terrier
- Body, Back, and Sides – #5F, #4F, #3F
- Tail and Underbody – Scissors
- Head and Legs – #30 with 1″ or 1¼” Comb
- Ear Tips – #10 or #15
Yorkshire Terrier
- Matted Coat – #7F
- Puppy Trim – #30 with 1″ Comb
- Short Trim – #4F or #3F
- Face – Scissors
- Ear Tips – #10
Mixed breeds (curly)
- Body and legs – #4F, #3F
- Face (poodle style) – #10, scissors
- Face (teddy bear style) – #3F, #30 with ¾” or 1″ comb
- Tail – scissors
Mixed breeds (smooth)
- Matted coat – #7F
- Puppy trim – #30 with 1″ comb
- Short trim – #4F
- Head, face, and tail – scissors
Mixed breeds (wiry)
- Body and tail – #7F, #5F, #4F, #3F
- Legs, chest, beard, and eyebrows – #3F
- Ears – #10
- Face and eyebrows – scissors
Cats
- Very Matted – #10
- Some Matting – #7F
The above data applies to Andis, Oster, and Wahl dog clipper blades.
How to maintain your dog clipper blades?
If you buy a good clipper with the proper blades, you’ve already done a lot to make your grooming sessions a success. However, if you do not take appropriate care of your blades, they can break down over time.
Clipper blade maintenance has three main steps. These are cleaning, oiling, and sharpening.
- Cleaning: The first step in cleaning is to remove debris, hair, and other contaminants from the blade. You can use a blade cleaning brush or an air cleaner. The point is to make sure you remove the hair from the inside. The second step is to use a so-called blade wash. Wahl, Oster, and Andi all offer blade wash products. Just pour the cleaning fluid into a small bowl and dip the blade while the motor runs. Do this carefully, as the handle (and thus the motor) must not be exposed to moisture. The whole procedure of the second step should take only 10-20 seconds. Then turn off the clipper and wipe the blade dry.
- Oiling: The oiling of the blades is similar to the second step of cleaning. Put a drop on each side and the back (rail). Then turn on the clipper so that the oil “lubricates” the blade and distributes evenly.
- Sharpening: If you want to be really sure, you can send the blade to the manufacturer for arming. But you can choose the DIY method; however, it can be complicated. You will need a suitable sharpening stone made of diamond for ceramic blades. Unscrew the blade from the dog clipper, then run it along with the stone a few times. Then repeat the same step with the other side. Wipe off the metal shavings and screw the blades back into place. The frequency of sharpening depends on the degree of use. A professional groomer may need up to 3-4 sharpenings per year. If you use a dog clipper at home, this number is about 1-2.
What about Dog clipper guide comb attachments?
The clipper guide combs are aids that make it easier to achieve the desired coat length. They are usually bought by dog owners who say each blade cuts their dogs’ hair too short.
It is extremely simple; just select the right comb size and snap it onto the standard size blade (the most common compatible sizes are 10, 15, 30, 40).
You need to know that while these combs will help keep your dog’s coat smooth and the same length everywhere, you can’t use them on untreated and un-groomed hair.
In this section, I will deal mainly with Andis dog clipper comb attachments, as these products have a vast selection; they are of good quality and easy to use.
Andis Dog Clipper Comb Attachment Sizes
Andis comb attachments are made of high-quality polymer plastic with metal clip and hook parts.
I especially like these guide combs because they are compatible with all major brands: Andis, Oster, Wahl, Conair, and Master Grooming Tools.
The following is a list of the sizes offered by the manufacturer and the coat lengths available.
(As with the blades, the numbers given by the manufacturer are correct when cutting against the grain. Cutting along with the grain will result in slightly longer fur.)
Small Sizes
| Comb attachment size | Cut length |
| #1/2 | 9/16” |
| #1 1/2 | 7/16” |
| #1 | ½” |
| #2 | ⅜” |
| #3 | 5/16” |
| #4 | ¼” |
| #5 | 3/16” |
| #6 | ⅛” |
| #7 | 1/16” |
Large Sizes
| Comb attachment size (or number) | Cut length |
| A | ¾” |
| B | 13/16” |
| C | ⅞” |
| D | 15/16” |
| E | 1” |
| F | 1 ¼” |
| #1/4 | 11/16” |
| #0 | ⅝” |
How to use dog clipper guide combs?
- Attach: You can easily attach the comb to the blade using the two metal hooks at the bottom. Place these hooks at the base of the blade and snap them in with a loose push-up.
- Preparing your dog’s coat: Guide combs can easily get stuck in stubborn mats, tangles, and undercoats. Therefore, it is worth removing them.
- Choosing the right size: It takes time to learn the proper technique and choose the right size. I suggest you buy several sizes (or a complete kit) and find out which one is best for you.
Other tips for using these clipper combs
- Preparing your dog’s coat is critical. Matted hair can even cause your thighs to fall off the clipper, which can ruin your entire grooming session and damage the products you purchase.
- Never use these combs on wet fur. This can cause a lot of hair to get under the comb, eventually leading to an uneven cut.
- If you are cutting dry hair, you may also want to check the attachment combs during the session to see any accumulated hair.
Final words
I wrote in detail about the different dog clipper blade sizes in my article. Choosing the right blade is important because different coat lengths should be targeted for each breed.
I hope the tables I have provided were very helpful in this. And remember, you should study the dog clipper blade size chart and the guide comb attachment sizes too.
